Najib: Malaysia prepared to assist Indonesia over missing AirAsia Indonesia plane

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A search and rescue squad from the Indonesian Airforce prepares to depart on a Puma helicopter to take part in the search for the missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501 from a base in Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan. — Reuters photo

KUALA LIPIS: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia was prepared to help Indonesia over the reported disappearance of AirAsia Indonesia aircraft Flight QZ8501 yesterday.

While still waiting for more details on the incident, Najib said what could be confirmed so far was that the Indonesian-owned aircraft went missing from the radar screens soon after departure.

“This means the possibility of something untoward happening to the aircraft. That’s all I know (about the incident) right now and we will assist in finding out what happened to the aircraft,” he told a news conference after visiting the flood relief centre at Sekolah Menengah Padang Tengku here yesterday.

He was commenting on the AirAsia Indonesia aircraft, an Airbus A320-200, which reportedly lost contact with the air traffic control centre at 7.24am local time while on its way to Singapore from Surabaya.

Najib tweeted later that he was saddened by this development.

“Very sad to hear that AirAsia Indonesia QZ8501 is missing. My thoughts are with the families,” he said.

The prime minister said Malaysia stood ready to help in the search and rescue operation for the missing airliner with 162 people aboard.

On board the aircraft are 155 passengers, comprising 138 adults, 16 children and an infant.

AirAsia said the plane also had two pilots and five cabin crew, comprising four flight attendants and an engineer. — Bernama